Ontario investing more into paramedic services in Waterloo Region

MPP says money will reduce wait times

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Ontario has announced a $32-million investment in the region to “connect more people to emergency care faster and increase the availability of paramedics and ambulances in the community,” according to a press release from Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris.

Just under $31 million is for base funding to cover increased operating costs with $1.5 million going to the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program (DONP) to hire more nurses and other eligible health professionals. Its goal is to reduce delays paramedics run into when dropping off patients at hospitals.

“Our government is boosting land ambulance funding in Waterloo Region by 14 per cent so paramedics can respond faster and get back on the road sooner,” Harris said. “These investments mean quicker care in emergencies and stronger frontline health care for families in our community.”

According to a press release, the program allows paramedics to get back out into the community faster and respond to their next 911 call sooner, and has played a significant role in reducing ambulance offload times and increasing ambulance availability for 911 patients across the province. As a result of this investment and the dedication of health-care professionals, provincial ambulance offload time has been reduced by approximately 65 per cent since its peak in October 2022.

John Riches, the region’s chief of paramedic services, explained the additional funds will help cover rising costs to deliver services.

“The cost of supplies, equipment, vehicles and maintenance has increased and this increase assists in accounting for this. Through the Land Ambulance Service Grant provided by the Ministry of Health, the province has committed to funding 50 per cent of the cost to operate the paramedic service. The 14 per-cent increase reflects the provincial commitment to covering their share.”

Riches added the DONP program streamlines the transfer of care from paramedics to hospital staff, and it aims to increase ambulance availability and improve overall access to urgent care. 

“All three hospitals have this program in place currently with a notable decrease in ambulance offload times since implementation,” he said.

Region of Waterloo data shows paramedic services averaged 107 minutes for a patient offload at its three hospitals in 2023, resulting in 15,280 lost service hours. The numbers reduced to 83 minutes and 11,600 hours in 2024 and 39 minutes along with 2,550 hours from Jan. 1 to Sept. 1 this year.

Riches said he and his staff continues to collaborate closely with hospital to streamline processes that help paramedics return to the community more quickly, ensuring they are available to respond to 911 calls for medical emergencies.

“We sincerely appreciate the Ministry of Health’s ongoing investment in both the DONP and the Land Ambulance Grant funding as these investments help us ensure paramedic resources are available to respond to those in need,” he said. 

“We’re grateful to the provincial government for this increase in land ambulance funding and the continued support of the DONP,” said Waterloo Region chair Karen Redman. “Reducing offload delays means our paramedics can return to the community faster – responding to emergencies, supporting patients and saving lives. Thank you to our local hospital partners for their continued support of the program, which plays a vital role in improving patient flow and emergency care.”